Deion Sanders and Colorado drop in Week 5 Pac-12 power rankings

Colorado plummets after rough showing in Oregon

Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Pac-12 teams went into conference play looking for some seperation. Here's how they stack up going into Week 5 of the college football schedule.  

No. 1 USC (4-0): Arizona State gave them more trouble than expected but the Trojans found a way in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. They hit to road to face Colorado, who comes off a bad loss to Oregon. 

No. 2 Washington (4-0): Michael Penix Jr. has left many Hoosiers’ fans feeling some serious envy. His 1,636 yards and 16 touchdowns have him firmly atop the Heisman race through week four.

No. 3 Oregon (4-0): Dan Lanning doesn’t do it for clicks. Let's remember that nobody who's noteworthy is heading to Eugene for a game. The environment in Autzen was complete insanity. The Ducks could have beaten Georgia and Ohio State on Saturday. It was that kind of day! Enjoy it!

No. 4 Washington State (4-0): Jake Dickert vs. Lee Corso is the fight I never thought I needed. This will be a suitable undercard when Ryan Day faces Lou Holtz in the octagon. The Cougars are now Pac-2 or 2-Pac champs after edging out Oregon State, 38-35.

No. 5 Utah (4-0): Nobody makes winning look less interesting than this team. If they knock off Oregon State next week I will change my tune on the Utes.

No. 6 Oregon State (3-1): This feels too low. But, with five undefeated teams ahead of them, where else can you slot them? For this team to be ranked sixth in the conference really speaks to how strong this league is in its final season.

No. 7 UCLA (3-1): We’ll know a whole lot more about this team after a back to back stretch against Oregon State and Washington State.

No. 8 Colorado (3-1 ): Seems like most every talking head and pundit were celebrating this team’s defeat. They think Oregon beating up the Buffaloes somehow justifies their prognostications of doom and gloom. Yeah, with a tip of the hat to Corso, and before Jake Dickert knocks it off his head, not so fast my friends. This team is still very well positioned to qualify for a bowl game.

No. 9 Arizona (3-1): They did what they had to do, they beat Stanford. Barely.

No. 10 Cal (2-2): Got smashed by Michael Penix Jr. That’s going to be a theme this year for many opponents.

No. 11 Arizona State (1-3): They’re only 11th because they are in a conference (for now) with Stanford. Between injuries at quarterback and along the lines, this is going to be a long year.

No. 12 Stanford (1-3): It couldn’t get much worse than losing to Sacramento State. Sure, FCS schools get a few upsets every year, that part is not a surprise. 

This is the equivalent of Jackson State taking on Colorado and winning. Head Coach Troy Taylor left Sacramento State for Stanford earlier this year after compiling a 30-8 record in three seasons. That’s brutal. Another conference loss to Arizona, albeit a close one, keeps them at the bottom.